Sally Beamish, Estate Manager at Brantwood, the former home of John Ruskin and perhaps the most idyllic house in the Lake District, invited the north-west scything group to a dawn mow of a lakeside haymeadow which is at present cut with brushcutters. 14 scythers gathered at 6 am on 11 July. Our task was to mow the area for the outdoor theatre event next week. A dip in the lake and a delicious rustic breakfast followed. If anything would encourage anybody to start scything, this must surely be it!The hay meadow, against the backdrop of Conston Old Man, Wetherlam and the calm surface of Conston lake (above), in front of Brantwood house (below).